Prince William has honored the last surviving pilot from the Battle of Britain following the passing of John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway at the age of 105.
The Prince of Wales expressed that we “owe so much” to Hemingway and his peers.
Born in Dublin, Paddy enlisted in the RAF in 1938 and was part of the group famously referred to as “the few” by Winston Churchill just two years later.
His death occurs less than two months before the UK celebrates the 80th anniversary of VE Day with various events and memorials.
In a message on X, Prince William stated: “I was saddened to learn of John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway’s passing this morning, the last of ‘The Few.’ We owe a great deal to Paddy and his generation for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Their courage and sacrifice will forever be honored. We will always remember them.
Before taking his place in the cockpit of a Hurricane to engage the Luftwaffe over Britain in 1940, Paddy had already participated in the Battle of France and conducted support missions during the Battle of Dunkirk.
He was a pilot with No 85 Squadron, which played a crucial role in the 11 Group (Fighter Command) defense against Nazi aircraft attacking the UK during what is now known as the Battle of Britain.
In August 1940, he had to bail out of his fighter plane twice—once landing off the coast of Essex and the other time in marshland.
Overall, the Irishman was shot down four times in combat but always managed to survive.
He continued to serve in the RAF for nearly 15 years after World War II, ultimately retiring as a Group Captain in 1969.
On May 7, 2020, Paddy became the last surviving member of The Few when Terry Clark passed away just hours before the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
When asked about the key to his longevity, he said, “I can’t advise against drinking. I can’t tell you not to socialize. I can’t say to avoid flying and facing danger – I’ve experienced it all, and I’m an Irishman.
“The only piece of advice I can offer is to embrace being Irish.”
He passed away at the age of 105 on St. Patrick’s Day.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his sorrow over Paddy’s passing.
He remarked, “Eighty years ago, the bravery and resolve of Paddy and our courageous RAF pilots played a crucial role in ending the Second World War.
“They boldly flew over enemy lines to safeguard the UK and its Allies, putting their lives on the line.
“Paddy never viewed himself as a hero; he often called himself the ‘Lucky Irishman,’ just a man fulfilling his duty, like many of his contemporaries.
“Despite the sacrifices he made, he shared stories filled with joy and cherished moments with his comrades, many of whom did not return.
“Their commitment and service ensured our freedom, and we will always remember them.”
Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to have met and spent time with him in Dublin, most recently in January of this year.
“Paddy was an extraordinary individual whose life story reflects the greatness of the Royal Air Force, both past and present,” he remarked.
Sir Rich continued, “His passing prompts us to remember not only his sacrifices but also those of everyone who served and fought in the air, on land, and at sea during this time, as well as the workers who produced essential military equipment and the families who supported them at home.
“This was a generation that recognized the value of service and camaraderie. They believed that through hard work, clear objectives, and a strong will to succeed, they would prevail.
“Their contributions, along with those of all our personnel, past and present, form the foundation upon which the Royal Air Force ensures the security of the UK, both domestically and internationally.”